Race Brook Lodge presents the Berkshire debut of Ghanaian artist Jojo Abot
Sheffield— On Sunday, October 29th from 7 p.m. to 11 p.m., Race Brook Lodge presents the Berkshire debut of Ghanaian artist Jojo Abot.
An Ewe woman born in Ghana, Los Angeles-based Jojo Abo is an interdisciplinary healer exploring evolving themes of spirituality, identity, and community through music, film, fine art, fashion photography, and other expressions. Committed to a philosophy of message over medium, the artist aims to provoke larger conversations and actions towards collective elevation, healing, and harmony. The public is invited to this intimate night of music as ceremony, meditation, and collective prayer.
Abot will be in residence at Race Brook Lodge musically expanding on her immersive opera piece “A God of Her Own Making”, which has premiered in both N.Y. and L.A.. Abot Has toured with Ms. Lauryn Hill, Played stages like Afropunk, Roots picnic, Radio City Music Hall, the Apollo, The Kennedy center.
The concert is on Sunday, October 29th from 7 p.m. to 11 p.m. in the Barnspace at Race Brook Lodge on South Undermountain Road in Sheffield. Doors open at 7 p.m. Tickets are $25 to $50. There is a 20% lodging discount offered to guests who attend the concert. Tickets and more information can be found online.
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Close Encounters with Music presents “Virtue and Virtuosity” at the Mahaiwe
Great Barrington— On Sunday, November 5th at 4 p.m., Close Encounters with Music presents “Virtue and Virtuosity” at the Mahaiwe Performing Arts Center, featuring Adam Golka on piano, Giora Schmidt on violin, and Yehuda Hanani and Philip Thompson on cello.
Virtuosity: music that glorifies the possibilities of the instrument and the prowess of the performer, that titillates and stuns the audience in the Romantic tradition of Paganini. It’s the violinist tight-rope walking on the strings, performing impossible feats, stretching the capabilities of the instrument, creating pacts with the Devil.
Sarasate and Saint Saëns will dazzle with his gorgeous Rondo Capriccioso, a minefield for the violinist, but when performed on the cello is exponentially more challenging! Russian/Ukrainian composer Nikolai Kapustin, “Preludes” offers a “Red and Hot” fusion of jazz and classical forms. Pyrotechnics and acrobatics? Mastery of content and form? Craft plus magic as the ideal? According to Rodin, the greatest virtuosity is when you don’t notice it. The program touches on some of the most fundamental questions about the nature of art and culminates with the emotionally compelling and ineffably beautiful “Brahms Piano Trio Op. 8”.
The concert is on Sunday, November 5th at 4 p.m. at the Mahaiwe Performing Arts Center on Castle Street in Great Barrington. Tickets are $28 to $52. More information can be found online.
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WAM presents ‘Me and the Sky: A Cabaret of Empowering Broadway Hits’, the last WAM production under the artistic leadership of Kristen van Ginhoven
Lenox— From November 1st through November 4th at 7:30 p.m., WAM presents “Me and the Sky: A Cabaret of Empowering Broadway Hits”, the last WAM production under the artistic leadership of Kristen van Ginhoven.
Co-Created and Directed by Kyle Boatwright and Talya Kingston, and performed by Jess Diaz Griffin, Shannon Lamb, and Wendy Welch, accompanied by Catherine Schane-Lydon, “Me and the Sky” is an evening of empowering Broadway hits that focus on the full array of women’s stories. Co-creator/director Kyle Boatwright says the cabaret goes “beyond the tropes of the ingenue or the strumpet or the witch and diving fully into what it can mean to be a woman: the passion, the careers, the friendships, motherhood, strife, joy, and the relationship with oneself.”This special cabaret of Broadway hits include songs from beloved musicals like “A Chorus Line”, “Rent”, “Come From Away”, “Wicked”, and “Waitress”, to name a few. You won’t want to miss this unforgettable evening of Broadway tunes that highlight the dreamers and change-makers who inspire us to move mountains and tap our toes.
This joyful and empowering cabaret performance is dedicated to the impact and legacy of WAM Theatre’s Co-Founder and Producing Artistic Director Kristen van Ginhoven. Grab a friend, a glass of wine at the bar, and meet us in the theatre for an unforgettable and uplifting evening of song and celebration. On November 4th, there will be a special celebration honoring van Ginhovan with an intimate and exclusive pre-show cocktail party hosted by Jayne Atkinson, acclaimed actor (Tony Award and Drama Desk Nominee) and longtime WAM Artist. Learn more about this celebration online.
The cabaret runs from November 1st through November 4th at 7:30 p.m. at the Elayne Bernstein Theatre at Shakespeare & Company in Kemble Street in Lenox. Tickets and more information can be found online.
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OLLI presents ‘Rise Up! Indigenous Music in North America’ with Craig Harris on Zoom
Pittsfield— On Wednesday, November 1st at 7 p.m., OLLI presents “Rise Up! Indigenous Music in North America” with Craig Harris on Zoom.
Covering over 500 years of history, religion, and cultural evolution, “Rise Up!” combines deep research with personal stories by four dozen award-winning Indigenous musicians, providing an unprecedented eye-and-ear-opening look at Indigenous music, spirituality, and life. More than powwow drums and wooden flutes, Indigenous music intersects with rock, blues, jazz, folk music, reggae, hip-hop, classical music, and more.
Join Craig Harris for an immersive, 90-minute, multimedia introduction to today’s Indigenous music, incorporating songs, research-based stories, a video sampling of pace setting artists, and guided music-making.
The virtual event is on Wednesday, November 1st at 7 p.m. on Zoom. It is free and open to all. More information can be found online.
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The Stockbridge Library presents ‘Voices of Poetry’
Stockbridge— On Saturday, October 28th at 3 p.m., The Stockbridge Library presents “Voices of Poetry.”
This event will feature a quartet of acclaimed poets – Robert Carr, Rage Hezekiah, Richard Hoffman, and Heather Treseler, plus a special guest appearance and reading by international opera and concert singer Benjamin Luxon.
Benjamin Luxon is a retired British baritone who performed at the Royal Opera House, Covent Garden, The Metropolitan Opera, among many others. He was appointed a Commander of the Order of the British Empire in the 1986 Queen’s Birthday Honours.
The event is on Saturday, October 28th at 3 p.m. at the Stockbridge Library on Main Street in Stockbridge. It is accessible, free, and open to all. More information can be found online or by calling 413-298-5501.
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Bascom Lodge presents Michael Benedict Trio for their final jazz dinner of 2023
Adams— On Saturday, October 28th from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m., the Bascom Lodge presents their final jazz dinner of 2023.
Accompanying the three-course meal is the Michael Benedict Trio, voted “Best Jazz Artist of 2023” by WCDB Radio. The trio is described as dark and mellow, shiny and bright, drifting, trembling, and gossamer-like.
The three course meal features an autumn soup; choice of tarragon chicken, shrimp, scallop, and cod Americane, and beef Bourguignon; plus a dessert of French apple cake served with a vanilla creme anglaise. There is a vegetarian option of autumn vegetable ragout served in an acorn squash that must be ordered when making the reservation.
The dinner is on Saturday, October 28th from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. at the Bascom Lodge on Summit Road in Adams. Reservations can be made by calling 917-680-0079. More information can be found online.
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Join BRIDGE and The Du Bois Freedom Center for the unveiling of Elizabeth Freeman Way
Great Barrington— On Saturday, October 28th from 1 p.m. to 2 p.m., join BRIDGE and The Du Bois Freedom Center for the unveiling of Elizabeth Freeman Way.
Co-naming contributors include Gwendolyn Van Sant, CEO and Founding Director of BRIDGE and Town of Great Barrington Du Bois Legacy Vice Chair; Rev. Joallen Forte and Macedonia Baptist Church Choir of the Macedonia Baptist Church; Dr. Alexandria Russell of the Boston Symphony Orchestra and Executive Director of Black Women Legacies; Leigh Davis, Town of Great Barrington Du Bois Legacy Select-board Liaison; Beth Carlson, Du Bois Freedom Center Board Member; Christopher Himes, PhD., DuBois Center for Freedom and Democracy Board Treasurer; Wray Gunn Sr., Founder of Clinton Church Restoration; John Horan, Elizabeth Freeman Way project Coordinator; and Stephen Bannon, Town of Great Barrington Du Bois legacy Select-board Chair.
The unveiling is on Saturday, October 28th from 1 p.m. to 2 p.m. on Castle Street in Great Barrington.
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Live stream announced for Lime Rock Park’s inaugural MiataCon
Lakeville— On October 27th and October 28th at 9 a.m., Lime Rock Park will once again offer fans a free streaming option with a Glimpse of MiataCon powered by Mazda of Milford.
The ‘Glimpse of MiataCon’ camera will be perched below the pedestrian bridge, allowing fans to witness every generation of the Miata MX-5 race down the Sam Posey Straight. The one-camera live stream promises an unfiltered, unedited and unadulterated authentic experience of the inaugural even for fans at home. The Voice of Lime Rock Park Greg Rickes and statistician Craig Robertson will lend their expertise to guide viewers through the racing, sharing history and stories behind the cars and their drivers as they lap Lime Rock Park.
MiataCon promises to be an action-packed weekend honoring the Mazda Miata. This inclusive grassroots race weekend will feature three different Miata race groups: Spec/Global MX-5, Spec Miata, and an Exhibition group which will include any race-prepped MIata that doesn’t fit into the first two groups.
Miata owners from all generations will have the chance to come together to celebrate their love for the Japanese sportscar. The weekend will feature five different Miata Car Corrals where like-minded Miata enthusiasts can park amongst each other and participate in parade laps around the iconic Lime Rock circuit.
The Glimpse of MiataCon powered by Mazda of Milford Live Stream will be available Friday and Saturday at: https://limerock.com/live/.
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Volunteers needed for annual Stockbridge Main Street at Christmas
Stockbridge— The 34th Annual “Stockbridge Main Street at Christmas” will be celebrated December 1st though December 3rd. The weekend will be filled with festive events including historic property tours, a holiday concert, and Norman Rockwell’s Stockbridge Main Street at Christmas re-creation.
The Historic property tour is an exciting part of this weekend. It is scheduled for Saturday, December 2nd from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. We need at least 2 volunteers per shift. The shifts are 10:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. and 1 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. The volunteers will be given information by the property owners and assist them in showing the homes to the interested visitors. You will not be giving tours, but will be greeters, extra security, etc.
As a volunteer, you will be offered a complimentary ticket to view the other homes either before or after your shift. To sign up, contact the office by November 6th at 413-298-5200 or info@stockbridgechamber.org. Be sure to share your mailing address, phone number, email address, the time slot you wish to volunteer, and if you are flexible with your time slot.
Volunteers are also needed at the Concert and Ticket/Button Station on Sunday, December 3rd. At the Holiday Concert at the First Congregational Church on Saturday, December 2nd from 6:15 p.m. to 8:30 p.m., volunteers will hand out programs, take tickets, and help assist with closing. At the Ticket/Button Station (outdoors) on Sunday December 3rd from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., volunteers will verify tickets and distribute buttons.
The event is on December 1st through December 3rd on Main Street in Stockbridge. More information can be found online.
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All-night parking ban for Lenox, Lenox Dale, and New Lenox
Lenox— On Wednesday, November 1st from 1 a.m. to 6 a.m., there is an all-night parking ban for Lenox, Lenox Dale, or New Lenox.
The all-night parking ban in Lenox will take effect on November 1st. Any vehicle(s) parked on any town streets in Lenox, Lenox Dale, or New Lenox between 1 a.m. and 6 a.m. will be ticketed. In case of snowfall, the vehicles will be towed at the owner’s expense.
